Animation for advertising displays



SePt- 24, 1968 R. J. BYRNES 3,402,496

` INVENTOR.

United States Patent O 3,402,496 ANIMATION FOR ADVERTISING DISPLAYS Robert J. Byrnes, 9298 Niver, Allen Park, Mich. 48101 Filed Jan. 13, 1966, Ser. No. 520,491 4 Claims. (Cl. 40-139) ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE An animated advertising display embodying a face plate having an opening across which a flexible sheet is positioned. The flexible sheet is formed with an uninterrupted section from which slits extend to form a plurality of separate strips connected together at the central portion. A permanent magnet is affixed to the central portion and an electric coil is carried by the face plate in spaced relation to the permanent magnet. The passing of an alternating electric current through the electric coil causes vibration of the permanent magnet and oscillation of the flexible strips resulting in an attractive display.

This invention -relates to an animated display and more particularly to a display embodying an improved form of animation.

Sales displays for advertising are well known as are their desirable attributes. In addition to conveying the desired message, these displays must attract attention so that the Viewer will read the display material. Motion of one or more components of the display is a feature that is commonly used to attract attention. This moton or animation should be performed by means of a relatively simple device, however, to maintain low display cost.

It is, therefore, the prin-cipal object of this invention to provide an improved animated display.

It is a further object of this invention to provide an improved method of animation for a display device.

An animated display embodying this invention includes a support member and a plurality of fiexible strips carried by the support member. A first actuating means is affixed to the flexible strips and a second actuating means is carried by the support member and juxtaposed to the first actuating means. One of the actuating means comprises a permanent magnet and the other actuating means comprises an electric coil. An alternating current is caused to fiow through the electric coil for creating alternate attracton and repulsion between the actuating means thus vibrating the flexible strips.

Other objects and advantages of this invention will become more apparent as this description proceeds, particularly when considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein:

FIGURE 1 is a front elevational view of an advertising display embodying this invention;

FIGURE 2 is a side view of the display shown in FIGURE 1;

FIGURE 3 is an enlarged view of the encircled area in FIGURE 2;

FIGURE 4 is a view, in part similar to FIG. 3, showing an alternative adjustable support for an actuating element; and

FIGURE 5 is a front elevational view, similar to FIG- URE 1, showing another embodirnent of the invention.

Referring now in detail to the drawings and in particular to the embodiment shown in FIGURES 1 through 3, an advertising display embodying this invention is identified generally by the reference numeral 11. The display 11 is comprised of a face Lplate 12, which may be formed from cardboard or any other suitable relatively rigid material. The face plate 12 is generally of keyhole shape and has an underturned fiange 13 formed at its lower end and a circular aperture 14 formed in its upper face.

3,402,496 Patented Sept. 24, 1968 A supporting easel 15, which may also be formed from cardboard or the like, is hinged to the rear surface of the face plate 12 in any known manner and may be locked in a perpendicular position with respect to the face plate 12 to serve as a supporting leg for it. The easel 15 has a generally rectangular cutout portion 16 formed behind the aperture 14 of the face plate 12 for a reason which will become more apparent as this description proceeds.

A sheet of Mylar or some other relatively strong, flexible material 17 is aflixed to the face plate 12 on its rear side across the opening 14. The Mylar sheet 17 is held in place so that it assumes a somewhat conical form (FIGS. 2 and 3), A plurality of generally radially extending slits 18 extend from va center portion 19 of the Mylar sheet 17 radially outwardly to form interconnected flexible strips 21. The strips 21 are connected together at the center portion 19 and at their periphery.

The Mylar is preferably of -a thickness of 1 to 3 mils and, as has been noted, other similar materials may be used. Preferably the material should be flexible and yet strong enough to resist tearing or fatigue failure under high intensity vibrations.

A first actuating member in the form of a permanent magnet 22 is afixed to the rear side of the Mylar center portion 19. Juxtaposed to the permanent 'magnet 22 is a second actuating element, indicated generally by the reference numeral 23. The actuating element 23 is comprised of a wound 'coil of wire 24 supported by means of a cardboard bracket 25 having outturned flanges 26. The coil 24 is retained in the bracket 25 'by means of a bolt 27 that passes through the flanges 26 and coil 24 and a nut 28. The bracket 25 is pivotally supported upon the easel 15 by means of a pivot pin 29. The terminals 31 and 32 of the coil 24 are connected by means of an electrical cord 33 and plug 34 to any suitable source of alternating current.

When the plug 33 is inserted into a receptacle providing va source of alternating current, the alternating current will flow through the coil 24 generating an alternating magnetic field. This field will alternately attract and repel the permanent magnet 22 causing a vibrating moton of the Mylar center Lportion 19. This vibrating moton is transmitted to the fiexible strips 21 so that they will rapidly oscillate. The strips will oscillate with respect to each other and create a simulation of movement which will readly attract onels eyes to the display. In addition, the vibration can create a sound that will also draw attention to the display 11. The intensity of the vibration may be adjusted by pivoting the bracket 25 about the pivot pin 29 to change the distance betwen the coil 24 and permanent magnet 22.

Another form of adjustable mounting is shown in FIG- URE 4. In this embodiment a coil of Wire 41 has a pair of terminals 42 and 43 that are connected by means of an electrical cord 44 to a suitable source of alternating current. The coil 41 coacts with a permanent magnet and flexible strips as in the previous embodiment. In this embodiment an easel 45 is provided with a pair of outwardly extending flanges 46 and 47 in which ap'ertures are formed. A core 48 around which the coil 41 is wound extends through the apertures in the flanges 46 and 47. The core 48 may be slid through the fianges 46 and 47 to vary the spacing between the coil 41 and the permanent magnet with which it coacts.

In either of the described mounting arrangements, the supporting core member of the coil may be formed with an elastomer cushion adjacent the permanent magnet for sound deadening in the event of contact between the magnet and the core. The coil in either embodiment may be held in a fixed position and the core adjusted with respect to the permanent magnet.

It is to be understood that various type display legend may be employed in cooperation with the animation device disclosed. In addition, displays may be provided on opposite sides of the coil so as to simulate movement on each side of the display. That is, one coil may actuate two sheets of fiexible strips or magnets. The fiexible strips may be colored in the same color, different colors or lines or other legend may be formed upon the strips.

An example ofan illustrative display embodying the disclosed feature of the animation is shown in FIGURE 5. In this display, indicated generally by the reference numeral 61, a spark plug illustration or likeness 62 is formed on the face plate 63. Adjacent the terminals 64 of the spark plug 62, a flame-shaped cutout portion 65 is formed in the face plate 63. A fiexible sheet in which strips 66 are formed is supported on the rear side of the face plate 63 behind the cutout 65. In this embodiment, an actuating device of the type previously disclosed is supported in the area identified generally by the reference numeral 67 behind the face plate 63. The vibrating motion will give the effect -of fiame emanating from the spark plug terminale 64.

While it will be apparent that the preferred embodiments of the invention disclosed are well calculated to fulfill the objects above stated, it will be appreciated that the invention is susceptible to modificaton, Variation and change without departing from the proper scope or fair meaning of the subjoined claims.

What is claimed is:

1. An animated display comprising a support member, a sheet of fiexible material carried by said support member, said sheet being formed with a plurality of slits radiating from an uninterrupted portion to form separate fiexible strips connected at said uninterrupted portion, a permanent magnet aixed to said uninterrupted portion, and electric coil supported by said support member and juxtaposed to said uninterrupted portion and to said permanent magnet, and means for passing an alternating electric current through said electric coil for creating alternating magnetic fields for successively attracting and repelling said permanent magnet and for vibrating said fiexible sheet, the vibration of said fiexible sheet efecting oscillatory movement of said fiexible strips -for attracting visual attention to said display, said electric coil being supported upon a core, the distance betwen said core and said permanent magnet being adjustable in a direction substantially parallel to the axis of said core.

2. An animated display as set forth in claim 1 wherein the electric -coil is adjustably carried by the support member by means of a bracket to which said coil is aflixed, said bracket being pivotally carried by said support member.

3. An animated display as set forth in claim 1 wherein the electric coil is adjustably carried by the support member, said coil being supported upon a core, said support member having a pair of out-turned flanges formed with apertures therein, said core being slidably supported at each end thereof within the apertures of said flanges.

4. An animated display comprising a relatively rigid face plate vdefining an opening, a sheet of fiexible material aflixed to said face plate and extending across said opening, said sheet being formed with a plurality of slits radiating from an uninterrupted portion to form separate fiexible strips connected at said uninterrupted portion, a permanent magnet aflixed to said uninterrupted portion, a supporting easel hingedly connected to said face plate for angular disposition relative to said |face plate for supporting said face plate, said easel extending at least in part adjacent said sheet and being juxtaposed to said uninterrupted portion, an electric coil supported by said easel and juxtaposed to said uninterrupted portion of said sheet and to said permanent magnet, and means for passing an alternating electric current through said electric coil for creating alternating magnetic fields for successively attracting and repelling said permanent magnet and for vibratng said fiexible sheet, the vibration of said fiexible sheet effecting oscillatory movement of said fiexible strips for attracting visual attention to said display.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,573,874 2/1926 Seibt 181-31 1,590,'703 6/1926 Seibt 181 31 2,884,726 5/1959 Dunkelberger 40-106.41 3,248,816 5/1966 Stein et al. 40-139 EUGEN'E R. CAPOZIO, Primary Examiner.

R. CARTER, Assistant Examner. 

